As a continuation from Ryan’s look at the National League, I scoured the depths of the archives to find our previews on the American League.  I found that some (Angels) were right on target while others (Tigers) wouldn’t have hit water if it fell out of a boat.  So lets take a stroll down memory lane…

Baltimore Orioles (Rich)

Got ‘em: “[Nick] Markakis has the potential to be a fantastic all around player and we should see him progress during his third season in the majors.”

Whiff: “[Daniel] Cabrera can’t find the strike zone and the other two can’t stay healthy but, if by some off chance the stars align, the Orioles could have a decent front three.”

Boston Red Sox (Kevin)

Got ‘em: “The right side of the infield in Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis will provide consistency throughout the year as both of these players continue to develop in their own right. Pedroia can hit for average and certainly is a rally starter, and Youkilis is just a solid all around offensive player…”

Whiff: “Then there is Dice-K, who for all his pomp in coming over to the United States, never really lived up to his hype. He might be a good third or fourth starter, but if they need him to step into the role of the number two starter they’re going to be hurting a bit.”

Chicago White Sox (Kevin)

Got ‘em: “Mark Buehrle is the ace of this staff and as long as he can stay healthy I think it is safe to assume he will have another productive year.”

Whiff: “[Nick] Swisher will be good for about 25-30 home runs.”

Cleveland Indians (Ryan)

Got ‘em: “They’re started at the top with leadoff man Grady Sizemore, who, when he’s not making girls scream and throw their panties, does it all for the Indians. Aside from winning his first hand ax throwing competition Gold Glove, Sizemore set career highs in walks, on base percentage and stolen bases. He is a lock for over 100 runs and could gain entry into baseball’s 30-30 club this season.”

Whiff: “Following Byrd in the rotation are Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee, who have both managed to decline over the course of their careers.”

Detroit Tigers (Rich)

Got ‘em: “At the unbelievably young age of 24, [Miguel] Cabrera has already earned his stripes in the Majors. No longer the skinny teenager that we saw in the 2003 World Series, Cabrera has added a belly to his body and a seemingly endless amount of potential to his bat.”

Whiff: “The D-Train [Dontrelle Willis] will get a fresh start in the Motor City after stumbling last season with the Marlins. A pitcher friendly park, Comerica will keep a lot of the cheap home runs in play that Dolphins Stadium didn’t. This should bode well for Willis…”

Kansas City Royals (Rich)

Got ‘em: “When [Zack] Greinke isn’t losing his mind or getting social anxiety on the mound, he’s a truly dominant pitcher. He’s got a fastball that he can crank up to 99 mph and an excellent change that can make hitters look silly.

Whiff: He’s got too much talent to duplicate the struggles he had last year and I think this year we should see [Alex] Gordon evolve as a hitter into one of the better young sluggers in the American League.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Ryan)

Got ‘em: “This lineup revolves around the sickening ability of outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. Despite a refusal to take pitches and hobbling around the field, Vladdy was his usual great self. With a .324 average to go with 27 homers and 125 RBIs, Guerrero remained a model of consistency.”

Whiff: “Santana posted one of the most absurd home/road splits in baseball history. At home, he went 6-4 with an impressive 3.27 ERA. On the road? Ugly. 1-10 with an ERA over 8. Because Saunders went 5-2 with a 3.71 ERA games during road games, it might be wise to just swap them in and out based on where they’re playing.”

Minnesota Twins (Ryan)

Got ‘em: “Injuries limited [Joe] Mauer to just 109 games last season, but if he’s healthy again, he should be around .330.”

Whiff: “Provided he doesn’t suffer a sophomore slump, [Delmon] Young should help ease the loss of Mr. Hunter.”

New York Yankees (Ryan)

Got ‘em: “I can’t think of anything they would want more than bringing their 27th world championship back to the Bronx. However, I don’t see it happening. This team has fallen short on clutch hitting and pitching in their last five playoff appearances. I don’t see that trend changing in 2008.”

Whiff: “Robinson Cano returns at 2nd base and continues to fly under the radar when talking about baseball’s best hitters.”

Oakland Athletics (Ryan)

Got ‘em: “The outfield is absolutely laughable. Dependable veteran Mark Kotsay is now in Atlants, leaving the A’s with a big hole in center field. Chris Denorfia and Ryan Sweeney have been fighting it out for the center field spot. Who?”

Whiff: “Mark Ellis is one of the better 2nd baseman in the American League, coming off a career season with 19 homers and 76 RBI.”

Seattle Mariners (Rich)

Got ‘em: “Adrian Beltre continues to try and rebuild his image after proving his contract year in Los Angeles a few years ago was merely that and not an actual account of his ability at the plate. Beltre quietly hit 26 home runs last year and should float around there again this season.”

Whiff: “It’s entirely possible for this team to reach the 88 win plateau of a year ago and challenge the Angels for the division.”

Tampa Bay Rays (Kevin)

Got ‘em: “Carl Crawford anchors the outfield and provides great speed (to the tune of 50 stolen bases last year) and is an incredible threat at the lead off position.”

Whiff: “This definitely is not the year that the Rays jump ahead of the Blue Jays, Yankees or Red Sox. They simply aren’t there yet…”

Texas Rangers (Kevin)

Got ‘em: “The starting pitching for the Rangers is atrocious at best.”

Whiff: “Rich was really trying to sell me on this team, but I just can’t do it. They don’t have any great power hitters, and they don’t have consistency throughout the lineup.”

Toronto Blue Jays (Ryan)

Got ‘em: “There’s few rotations in baseball that compare to the potential of Toronto’s 1-2 punch.”

Whiff: “Legendary slugger Frank Thomas returns for another season after a solid first year in Canada. The Big Hurt hit a team-high 26 homers and drove in 95. It should be a treat to see that big bastard don the powder blues.”